Michiel Huisman is the new Daario Naharis

A new photo points to Treme regular Michiel Huisman as the latest actor to join the cast of Game of Thrones.

A photo of the actor training hard was shared on Instagram yesterday by fitness pro Aaron Williamson, along with the comment , “1 more week w/ Michiel Huisman getting him ready to kick ass on Game of Thrones. Proud of this guy’s dedication; huge transformation from his Tremé days.”

The Dutch actor played Sonny, a musician struggling with drug and relationship problems on HBO’s Treme. An experienced singer and guitar player, he learned piano for his role on the show. Huisman also appeared in World War Z, BBC’s Margot, and in Black Book with Carice van Houten. He had an eight-episode arc as Liam McGuinnis last fall on ABC’s Nashville.

It’s unknown at this time what his role on Game of Thrones will be. We’ve reached out to HBO for an official confirmation of his casting.

UPDATE: HBO has now confirmed that Michiel Huisman has been cast in the fourth season, though his role has not been announced at this time.

FaB Update:Deadline Hollywood states that Huisman is replacing an actor on the series! Now that’s interesting! Is it true? Speculation runs amok! My thought is perhaps Joseph Mawle… but maybe it’s someone bigger! Hysteria in 3…2…

Yet Another Update!: The Hollywood Reporter is saying their sources tell them that Huisman is replacing Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis, the Tyroshi captain serving Daenerys, introduced to viewers last season.

Ours is the Fury: Filming continues in Belfast and is revving up in Croatia; if Huisman is filming in one week as the remark hints, he could be filming in either location, which leaves a variety of roles to speculate about. A Kettleblack? Someone from Dany’s storyline? A bard, once again using his music skills? He’s the right age and look for Hyle Hunt but season four may be too early to introduce the character. Who do you think Huisman will be playing?

With the picture on the WIC Twitter of the ship being set up with the green screen behind it ready for filming I wonder if we could get some Greyjoy casting after all. It might be wishful thinking from my part but could he possibly be playing Crows Eye?

First off, nice to see another connection checked off – Treme. Now we just need Game of Thrones to somehow link itself up with The Sopranos (that’s gonna be a real tough one).

And another Dutch actor, which would make you think someone from Essos, perhaps — is it too early to add in Hizdhar?

Hyle Hunt is also probably a solid choice, too. Or a Kettleblack though I think they should eliminate those guys.

I don’t see him as Euron. Euron, Victarion and Aeron are the brothers of Balon Greyjoy, who is played by 68-year-old Patrick Malahide. This guy is 32, making him the same age as Gemma Whelan. It doesn’t work. The thoughts about Lars or Mads Mikkelsen are better – at least in terms of aging.

I don’t think he looks like any Greyjoy of the TV show. Could totally be an Kettleblack but I always assumed that character would be cut since there are already too many character in KL, and they could replaced him with someone like Meryn Trant. I have no clue!

I don’t think he’ll be Marillion, though his music skills would come in handy there, I don’t think they are of importance for the character he’s gonna be. I don’t see why a singer like Marillion would need such a body. Whoever his character will be, it will be a warrior type of character. I can see him as a Greyjoy really well. I actually do think he looks a bit like the actress who plays Asha/Yara. He could be her ‘boyfriend’ too, I don’t remember his name, but it would fit with where Yara’s story left off last season, with her wanting to rescue Theon, surely there will be scenes with her in S4 trying to achieve just that… so I’m guessing he’s her ‘boyfriend’.

He seems incredibly young to be a Greyjoy uncle- he’s not much older than Alfie Allen, so I’d say that’s out. One of Yara’s crew or lovers is an interesting possibility. With all the changes that have been made and the timeline adjustments, there are a lot of possibilities for Huisman. A replacement of some kind for Marillion is another good idea, though I don’t know that he would need to be buffed up for it really.

I would say Euron. Just because Patrick Malahide is 68 doesn’t rule this out. Euron is younger and he fits the look for sure. Mads Mikkelsen is both too old and committed to Hannibal.
Casting former HBO actors still gives me hope for Ray Stevenson for Victarion!

I’m hoping he’s a Kettleblack! It wouldn’t surprise me if they started to show Cersei’s infidelity in season four. I think they will establish that she no longer finds Jamie appealing, then have her start to fool around right under his nose . It would also move her in to take Joffery’s place as the most disliked character.

I missread the initial post. I thought he is shooting in both these locations and I didn’t know NW folks were alrdy done. So I guess that rules him out. Anyway, I have doubts in him being Marillion’s replacement. Because a lot of the Vale (including the wedding, if I’m not mistaken) scenes were alrdy shot last year but were not used in S3. I’d think they’ll want to use as much of it as possible in S4, but who knows.

Looking at that picture I can definitely see him playing Euron. I cant see the age thing being something that matters too much in the show. The Tyrell actors seem to have been chosen on acting merit rather than ages matching the book continuity so I don’t see why it would be any different here. Add this to the fact that he is putting hours in the gym for the role as well as the ship being set up for filming and I think its a good a call as any. Quite excited to find out more about this one.

They’ve shown Brienne and Pod on the road together in some pics, haven’t they? I know some thought it might be from the last episode or two of the season, but if they’re bringing Brienne’s story forwards, Hyle might be needed more quickly. Assuming they keep him for that storyline.

I dunno. It just seems too big to be a “hidden dragon egg”. More so to be just thrown away. Weddings are expensive. We’ll se in february, I guess. If it’s not on the blu-ray, I think there’s a good chance we’ll see it in S4. Admittedly, I don’t know much about the film-making procedure or their philosophy on recyclement (although they did decide to reuse Martyn Lannister :P).

He fits all the drawings I have seen of Euron perfectly (make him a little more ragged and crazy looking and you’ve got my mental image), though I agree he might be too young to be Malahide’s brother. That said, Daenerys was born after her adult brother was killed in battle. This would be fun.

Euron seems unlikely, though; I’m pretty sure the change from Asha’s story is filler, not a shortcut.

There will have to be at least one Kettleblack eventually to demonstrate Cersei’s idiot hiring practices (I say “Kettleblack” but it could be a combined character named Aurane Waters or something completely new). Not sure that’s a big enough role that it needs to be introduced early, though.

Somewhat doubtful of Hyle Hunt even making the show, unless he’s been substantially changed. I’m guessing he gets rolled into Gendry. With the change to Brienne arriving before Sansa’s escape, though, who knows where her story will go.

I hope that he is not Marillion because I detest that character. Doubt that he is Euron because of his age. He would be perfect for Dareon but if the NW is done shooting then that is not a possibility.

I think that we need a Kettleblack and he seems like a good choice for the role. Or one of Yara’s lovers, perhaps a combo of Tris/Qarl.

I agree with a lot of posters that Huismann could be cast as Asha/Yara’s boyfriend,, or even a composite Kettleback character. I’m going to base my guesses on a mixture of other recent castings and as a book reader were I expect the plot to go in S4, and have come up with these somewhat random ideas.

1. As Mace Tyrell has been cast and the actor (I’ve forgotten his name!) is filming in Belfast, Huismann could be playing one of Loras’ older brothers if the writers have decided to intorduce Willas and/or Garlan in S4.

2. After the scene at the end of S3 involving Stannis, Davis & Melisandre, they are clearly about to head off to the wall in the first few episodes. Huisman could be cast as one of the Lords or Knights who fights for Stannis against the Wildings.

3. We will certainly see the purple wedding at some point followed by LF and Sansa travelling to the Vale of Arryn. Huisman could be one of the Lords Declarant or even Harold Hardyng.

4. One of the Dornish Lords who arrive at Kings Landing with Oberyn Martell. As Huismann is of northern European origin this could well be one of the Dornish Marcher lords. I can’t remember all their names!

1.As Mace Tyrell has been cast and the actor (I’ve forgotten his name!) is filming in Belfast, Huismann could be playing one of Loras’ older brothers if the writers have decided to intorduce Willas and/or Garlan in S4.

This is a great idea, and I wish it were likely. Alas…this corner is already surrounded by paint.

Dorkstar is one hell of a dangerous guy. He’s serious shit, right from the night- and we all know what the night is and what it is full of, now don’t we.

EDIT: Is no one else seeing a potential Mountain recast/body shot with green screen/recast face and voice? It seems to fit IMO more than any other guess. What other role would need a heavy workout?? My second guess would be a Kettleblack (because they/he have to come in at some point and considering the huge character list for season 5 that may not be possible then, plus- he’s been in the books since the second and there is a very iconic later-ASOS line tied to him).

He does look like salty or stony Dornish to me. Is it possible they’re introducing Quentyn early and having him travel with RV before he sets off for Essos?
It looks completely plausible that he could be Oberyn’s nephew.

Given how important (and oft-repeated) a certain line about Lancel, Osmund Kettleblack, and Moon Boy becomes in the story, I kind of think we’ll have to see at least one Kettleblack this season, probably condensed to a single character. Whether they actually cast Moon Boy or not remains to be seen ;)

I could see this being Euron. They haven’t really established the ages of Theon’s Uncles yet, and Quellon is supposed to have had 3 wives and 9 sons. Just make Balon the firstborn and Euron the 6th or something.

/u/TMWNN on Reddit’s ASOIAF board made a perfect rebuttal to this claim that D&D cut out several characters and plotlines:

The show’s track record says otherwise.

Despite peoples’ constant attempts to expect/hope/wish/fear that the show will leave out some character, location, or storyline, it has not left out **any** non-minor storyline, location, or character in 3 seasons and counting. Heck, it has even included or will include characters that are so minor and/or replaceable as to puzzle readers; Styr, the Magnar of Thenn, is a perfect recent example.

In three seasons *Game of Thrones* has become HBO’s flagship show and a critical and cultural phenomenon on a scale the network has not had since *The Sopranos*, and has done so because of its overall fidelity to the books. Why should we expect that this will change?

Hmmm. How about a wild stab in the dark on the subject of Euron and Victarion casting…. a complete guess and not based upon any sort of insight, but how about Vincent Cassel? He specialises in playing nasty, unpleasant characters so would make an especially sinister Euron, but could equally convince as Victarion. I appreciate that he could be expensive actor to employ, but no more so than Charles Dance and less then Sean Bean.

1.As Mace Tyrell has been cast and the actor (I’ve forgotten his name!) is filming in Belfast, Huismann could be playing one of Loras’ older brothers if the writers have decided to intorduce Willas and/or Garlan in S4.

TheBerylfly:
And Hyle Hunt looks, to me, as a prime candidate for getting cut, idk why people are so sure of him being cast

I think it’s more a case of “this actor fits the description we have of Hyle Hunt” than “this must be Hyle Hunt.”

I also wouldn’t be sure Hyle gets completely cut. He probably won’t be just Brienne’s annoyingly flirty travelling companion, but I could imagine someone who is a mix of Hyle and the Mad Mouse in intentions. It would bring a little intrigue to Brienne’s storyline that goes beyond “will Hyle learn to accept Brienne as a person and Brienne see him as a friend before the BWB hangs him?” Just as an example of what might be possible.

TheBerylfly:
And Hyle Hunt looks, to me, as a prime candidate for getting cut, idk why people are so sure of him being cast

I agree that Hunt could be cut, but that doesn’t mean that he WILL be cut. I would’ve guessed for sure that we wouldn’t see Anguy the archer, but we did. He wasn’t strictly necessary for plot reasons but thankfully they included him. People are just speculating about who this actor could be playing.

Waaaaay too young to be a Greyjoy brother (especially if Mark Gatiss is, in fact, Aeron). I could maybe see him as a Kettleblack, or possibly a composite of all three, though a Dany villain is likely too (though I do wish they’d get some more POC characters over in Essos). I could also see him as a replacement for Marillon. I’d say it’s also a little early for Hyle or Arys, but I could see this guy as either of those characters.

Edit: Saw another commenter saying that he could possibly be Qarl the Maid, which would be great.

/u/TMWNN on Reddit’s ASOIAF board made a perfect rebuttal to this claim that D&D cut out several characters and plotlines:

The show’s track record says otherwise.

Despite peoples’ constant attempts to expect/hope/wish/fear that the show will leave out some character, location, or storyline, it has not left out **any** non-minor storyline, location, or character in 3 seasons and counting. Heck, it has even included or will include characters that are so minor and/or replaceable as to puzzle readers; Styr, the Magnar of Thenn, is a perfect recent example.

In three seasons *Game of Thrones* has become HBO’s flagship show and a critical and cultural phenomenon on a scale the network has not had since *The Sopranos*, and has done so because of its overall fidelity to the books. Why should we expect that this will change?

^1 Yes, Strong Belwas and Patchface are minor characters

Strong Belwas is in no way a minor character. He has more screen time and importance to the overall plot than a bunch of other characters had and still got cut.
Hell, they cut Jeyne Poole, and now they’re gonna have do deviate from the books because there’s no one to be fake arya…

Lord Of The Waters: The Tyrell actors seem to have been chosen on acting merit rather than ages matching the book continuity so I don’t see why it would be any different here.

Well, they may not match book continuity, but they are spaced appropriately for familial relations; Natalie Dormer & Finn Jones close enough in age for brother & sister, the guy for Mace in his 50s, Diana Rigg in her 70s.

The first roles that come to mind are the Kettleblacks and Hyle Hunt like many have said, but I expect most if not all of the Kettleblacks to be cut and I would be surprised if we much of Hyle Hunt in Season 4.

This is one of those mystery castings where it is easier to rule out roles than it is to find roles he could play. Too young for a Greyjoy brother, too short for the Mountain recast (the role will not be recast people), too early to play Arys Oakheart, unlikely to be a Nights Watch officer.. .etc

I find the idea of him playing an Ironborn really interesting!
He is the right age to fit into Yara’s story as one of her raiding party or one of her love interests from the book like Tristofer Botley or Qarl.

If they progress to the Kingsmoot he also would make a very interesting Baelor Blacktyde. he has the PERFECT look for the role in my opinion. While the role is minor I think one scene of his in particular will make for great TV and really show who the Greyjoys are!

With his musical background and the need of singers and musicians for Joffrey’s wedding (if they follow this book arc) he could certainly play a bard or singer. He really does not fit any of the 7 chosen acts in appearance, but Symon Silvertongue would give him more lines than the others….

He is not how I pictured the role, but he might make an interesting Hizdahr zo Loraq, but I’m not sure he would need to bulk up for that role….

That could imply with the “huge transformatiom from his Treme days” that he’s the opposite off an asshole in GOT … or not. Frankly I too thought immediately “Euron” before his young age registered with me.

There are lots of fan theories about Patchface being an agent of the Others. He might not be that minor. But those are just theories. He can be introduced later if need be if he does wind up being important.

Williamson compared Huisman’s progress to his role in Treme, when he played an addict. This does not necessarily mean Huisman will have a notably athletic role, just that he can’t have the physique of a street musician/heavy user.

If he was asked to do even a little bit of bulking up on short notice, he’d still need an intense routine.

Yeah, it does. The thing that kills me about cutting Willas is that he would never have been on-screen. It took one or two lines to establish off-screen Mace as “oafish lord of Highgarden;” it wouldn’t be hard to also establish, “crippled heir.”

It was sort of neat (in the clean and efficient sense) to have Sansa think she was marrying Loras, but now there will be some contorting to get Loras into the Kingsguard. Though, honestly, he can do everything he does in the books (influence Tommen, piss off Jaime, lead the attack on Storm’s End) just as well while being married to Cersei instead of being Kingsguard.

My first thought was Marillion-replacement with the musical talent, but after reading the above speculation, I’m falling into the Tris camp–perhaps combined with Qarl in order to sail with her. Right age, Ironborn-looking, and Yara needs story beats that introduce her as more than a set piece for Theon. And it wouldn’t be like HBO to skip a chance for romance/sex! It gives D&D a chance to remind viewers of her distaste for traditional female roles and lead those viewers right into her desire to prevail at the Kingsmoot. Such a storyline, combined with the travel hinted at at the end of last season, could take her right through to the Kingsmoot happening in early S. 5.

I wish I could say I was surprised that people are complaining about a character being cut who hasn’t even BEEN in the books. Willas would’ve been an absolutely needless complication. That Sansa has a thing for Loras is established. It makes sense for her to think she’s marrying him and turn down Littlefinger’s offer. In the TV world Loras is a tangible, visible character who viewers already know, and they already know how Sansa feels about him. For her to turn down Littlefinger’s escape plan based on the idea that she can fulfill her dream of marrying some guy she’s never even heard of genuinely doesn’t make sense.

JP Dayne: s in no way a minor character. He has more screen time and importance to the overall plot than a bunch of other characters had and still got cut.
Hell, they cut Jeyne Poole, and now they’re gonna have do deviate from the books because there’s no one to be fake arya…

They didn’t technically cut Jeyne, she was played by an extra in season 1, so she will probably be recast with an older girl when the wedding and bedding comes…at least I hope so.

I don’t think anyone cares all that much. I wholeheartedly agree with your points; Loras has been used very deftly in the show, and the change was a smart one for a broader viewership. I hope you aren’t surprised that a person can believe that AND be wary about the distinct logical complications the change makes. I volunteered a possible work-around, and it is one I’d be excited to see. More Cersei and Loras scenes? Yes please.

It’s an especially relevant discussion to not dismiss going forward, as it has set a lot of precedent. Two of the leading theories for Huisman on this very thread involve him being an amalgamated Kettleblack or Euron, who many have theorized will be combined with Victarion. I’m an irrational defender of the show’s choices simply because I like comparing differences between two versions of a story (and D&D&BC have earned a lot of faith). That requires differences in the first place, but also means I’ll look at them with a critical eye.

It all depends on where he is filming. If he is Croatia then he could be a Kettleblack. However if he is in Belfast, given the set with a ship and a green screen, I think he could be a combination of Qarl and Tristifer Botley (it makes sense from a show perspective to combine them)

Jacarb: Adrian, I don’t think anyone cares all that much. I wholeheartedly agree with your points; Loras has been used very deftly in the show, and the change was a smart one for a broader viewership. I hope you aren’t surprised that a person can believe that AND be wary about the distinct logical complications the change makes. I volunteered a possible work-around, and it is one I’d be excited to see. More Cersei and Loras scenes? Yes please.It’s an especially relevant discussion to not dismiss going forward, as it has set a lot of precedent. Two of the leading theories for Huisman on this very thread involve him being an amalgamated Kettleblack or Euron, who many have theorized will be combined with Victarion. I’m an irrational defender of the show’s choices simply because I like comparing differences between two versions of a story (and D&D&BC have earned a lot of faith). That requires differences in the first place, but also means I’ll look at them with a critical eye.

Loras handled “deftly” so far? Perhaps “for the viewership” as you state. I thought his character was wasted/disrespected in the latter ASoI&F books and it is interesting that D&D have switched things up a bit in KL. However, I believe Loras will suffer a surprising and dark outcome in KL…probably (ironically?) at the hands of Brienne if/when they encounter each other. If not Brienne, then Cersei will arrange his demise. I don’t believe Loras will ever make it to Dragonstone in GoT.

I agree that a Kettleblack is likely. But if that is the case, then why isn’t HBO announcing his role? Why keep it a secret? Same for Mark Gatiss’ character.

With all of the secrecy, I am more inclined to believe that the Huisman is playing a some sort of combination character (kind of like what was done with the character of Locke). So maybe a Tris/Qarl combo. Or combining all of the Kettleblack storylines into one character but with a different name.

I like this guy for a lot of roles, but I’m hoping he’s with House Greyjoy. I’ve been thinking if I were the showrunner- my favorite game and probably one of your favorites too- that I would actually want to accelerate the Greyjoy/Targaryen axis. That Quentyn Martell comes to nothing, and that Arianne and Doran look likely at this time to plump for Aegon makes me think the Martells will have shot their wad and the Greyjoys will be more of a major if ultimately unsuccessful factor in the denouement.

The reason I would want to do that is that with the end of the most visible part of the war, the Stark vs. Lannister conflict, it’s important to up the stakes and introduce that this has become a world war. Tyrells vs. Stannis, Stannis and NW vs. Wildlings, Greyjoys vs. Tyrells and separately caught between the Boltons and Stannis and also taking on Slaver’s Bay, are all things which need to be more prominent to give a sense of what is at stake. The TV equivalent of the Winds of Winter is too long to leave it in my opinion, and accounted for a big part of the feeling of low stakes in the Dorne chapters. It’s a natural progression to me, Good House vs. Bad House, then Everyone vs. All, then Human Race vs. Ice Demons ultimately. There needs to be some tension while they build the conflict with the Ultimate Evil, and that second stage needs some love.

Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Bran) and Kristian Nairn (Hodor) recently tweeted that they would be seeing each other soon. My assumption is that they are about to start filming their season 4 stuff. Does this mean that we can finally put to rest the theory that Mark Gatiss is playing Bloodraven?

Yes, deftly as far as his changes in the show are concerned. His role was elevated substantially without his character being changed, and so far the difference has gone very smoothly.

My hunch for the books is that the letter saying he was badly wounded at Dragonstone was exaggerated or a lie, and he’s up to something big. The story so far has taught me to distrust letters and any situation where Cersei seems to have gotten something right. So I would be very surprised if your theory were true! And, yeah, Dragonstone. I said Storm’s End earlier. D’oh.

All this talk of combining has me more convinced that Huisman is the Kettleblack. There’s no reason to not combine the brothers, unless anyone here can name and differentiate all three without looking anything up. I hadn’t considered that, while the roles might be combined because they are practically the same character, they do different things and the resulting character, let’s call him Crimson Typhoon, will be quite busy. Deserving of a solid actor and time for the audience to get used to him.

Jacarb: Hodor’s Bastard, Yes, deftly as far as his changes in the show are concerned. His role was elevated substantially without his character being changed, and so far the difference has gone very smoothly.My hunch for the books is that the letter saying he was badly wounded at Dragonstone was exaggerated or a lie, and he’s up to something big. The story so far has taught me to distrust letters and any situation where Cersei seems to have gotten something right. So I would be very surprised if your theory were true! And, yeah, Dragonstone. I said Storm’s End earlier. D’oh.All this talk of combining has me more convinced that Huisman is the Kettleblack. There’s no reason to not combine the brothers, unless anyone here can name and differentiate all three without looking anything up. I hadn’t considered that, while the roles might be combined because they are practically the same character, they do different things and the resulting character, let’s call him Crimson Typhoon, will be quite busy. Deserving of a solid actor and time for the audience to get used to him.

Yeah…many folks think the Loras situation on DStone is a ruse. I just think he is an expendable character whose time is coming sooner than later. Plus, D&D seem to be setting him up for some awfulness.

I think the story needs at least one compositeKettleblack. That’s my best guess for Michael Huisman’s role. He has to spy for Littlefinger and bed Cersei and then confess to adultery with Margaery, only to tell the truth under torture. That’s how Cersei’s plot to frame Margaery goes so spectacularly wrong and blows up in her face.

That being said, I’m intrigued by the prospect that Huisman is a musician and wonder how that might be woven into his character’s story. Perhaps he’s show-only composite of Marillion and one of Lysa’s household guard at the Eyrie who maybe attempts to rape Sansa.

And I suppose it’s possible he can be made to look Mountain-like with the right special effects. Does anyone know how tall he is?

I always thought season 4 would be a good place to start giving the Kingsguard members identities and build them, especially since there are so many scenes with them and Jaime.

I think Meryn Trant can fulfill one of the Kettleblack’s roles and Huisman could be an actual composite Kettleblack as many here have said. I could also see them introducing us properly to Arys Oakheart. I personally think that short-lived romance between him and Arianne is made for television, especially HBO.

As to who he might be playing… I’m thinking a Kettleblack is likely, especially if they amalgamate the Kettleblacks into one Kettleblack (which seems likely).

Or, they could have Meryn Trant take the place of the Kettleblacks and have no need for them whatsoever. But I agree it will be a physical role, a knight or some kind of fighter, and one we’ll probably see shirtless, since most actors who do the REALLY hardcore muscle work do it to show it off in some way.

DH87:
FWIW, Deadline Hollywood says Huisman is replacing another actor on the show, not filling a new role.

That would seem to narrow it down to Bowen Marsh, Marillion, Coldhands, and very unliklely the Mountain. Given that Bran and co sound like they will be filming in a week I’m starting to think this is our coldhands.

Fire And Blood,DH87,
If this is true then we need to think of roles on the show that he looks vaguely similar to:
1) Locke/Noah Taylor: I hope not, Noah was great
2) Bronn/Jerome Flynn: yeahhh, that’s not going to happen
3) Meryn Trant: possible
4) Another Kingsguard member who has been named but is easily forgettable: very possible
5) one of the Freys: possible.
6) Edmure (because Tobias Menzies has been cast in a lead role in Starz’ Outlander): possible but I don’t think so
7) Marillion V2: very possible, especially with the music background and the fact that he is only filming for a week, but then that brings into question him bulking up. Maybe a Gurney Halleck style warrior bard?

I would like the Bowen Marsh suggestion if he was older and if not for the fact that all of the Night’s Watch stuff has been filmed already

If not for this recast information I would have thrown in Ronnet Connington as another suggestion.

Overall I am now putting my money on Marillion V2. I was really getting my hopes up for a Tris Botley or Ronnet Connington though…

Jentario,
As far as I am aware we don’t know, we just know that he is filming, and we know filming is happening in Belfast and Croatia. That leaves us with: King’s Landing, Slaver’s Bay and Dorne (if it is in season 4, but I don’t think it is nor do I want it to be), Iron Islands(?), the North(?) and anything indoors, because a lot of interior shots are done in Belfast.

Ser Tahu: 6) Edmure (because Tobias Menzies has been cast in a lead role in Starz’ Outlander): possible but I don’t think so

That’s an interesting thought. Outlander begins filming in Scotland next month and has a 32-week shooting schedule for 2013-2014. That wouldn’t leave much time for GOT and GOT travel, even within Europe, with that much of an overlap.

He’s been working out (confirmed), and he’s replacing another actor (sources). He’s 32 and doesn’t appear to be all that huge.

I think we can safely dispense with worries that he’s replacing someone so high-wattage that it would be a major shock (Peter! Nicolai! Maisie!).

He doesn’t appear to be Mountain-sized. That’ll be Ian Whyte.

If he’s working out, it kind of screws the idea that he’s Marillion. The singer doesn’t need to be getting in shape at all. He’s a singer.

The idea that he’s replacing Benjen equally is strange. Benjen hasn’t appeared since early Season 1 and wouldn’t be expected to return given descriptions of Coldhands as someone who has been around a long time. So no, that isn’t quite right.

Methinks this is more along the lines of the Karstark/Dondarrian situations. If indeed the “Night’s Watchman” who oversaw Jon/Sam saying their vows was an unnamed Donal Noye, then this actor slots in well for this part, which is critical for this part of the show.

Too young for Benjen. I doubt they’d replace him anyway, unless absolutely forced to by Mawle’s unavailability, which doesn’t seem to be the case. Also too young for Trant. Marillion seems far more likely (that actor has the lead in The Paradise now) except for the getting fit bit …

“Replacement” (if true) could always mean replacing someone who was cast for this season but fell through? Oh well, I guess we’ll see.

I forgot to list Anguy as a possibility, but even though they look similar I don’t think it will be him.

As for Benjen, I really like Joseph Mawle, and I don’t think Huisman has a very Stark-ish look. Also, we don’t know if Benjen will be in season 4.

What if he is playing Coldhands, and Deadline Hollywood is just saying that he is replacing someone (Joseph Mawle) because of the widespread speculation that Benjen is Coldhands?

Basically the only storyline that I think we can rule out completely is the Night’s Watch, as I believe Kit Harrington said he is done filming for this season. Also, following on from that, can we assume that we won’t see Donal Noye, Othell Yarwyck or Bowen Marsh in season 4 because there weren’t any casting announcements involving them?

EDIT: WHAT IF Mark Gatiss is playing Bowen Marsh? Unless I am much mistaken he was filming in NI where the Castle Black set is, at the same time as Kit Harington. It would also explain why he was only filming for a week and why they got some one so well known to play a minor role as Bowen will become a larger role later on.

Entirely possible. Unlike GOT, however, Outlander has a 16-episode order for Season One, and Menzies’s duel role appears pretty much throughout. This would continue throughout the series, if it’s renewed. I can’t recall Edmure’s role in GRRM’s S4, but it might be less complicated for D&D to recast now. Lena would of course have been much harder to replace.

I very much doubt Deadline would play games of the kind you suggest, not knowingly. It’s not like the media outlets that collude with various productions in exchange for access. It focuses on the industry itself, who represents whom, who makes bank, etc. Its reporters wouldn’t have the slightest idea of one role or another.

Just throwing it out there that this doesn’t entirely prevent him from taking on a new character. Shows often write-in a new character to fill in the role of a departing cast member. For GoT this could be something like, as an extreme example, they replaced the thug Kingsguard (Osmund Kettleblack for Meryn Trant) while also replacing actors, from a cost perspective.

My guess now, factoring in this replacement thing, is that he is taking on the role of Marillion from the books, and will be called Marillion. This kind of replaces tongue-less Marillion, but since that guy was never named on screen he can be written off as some other singer, and the “new” Marillion can be free to, you know, sing.

Jacarb: My guess now, factoring in this replacement thing, is that he is taking on the role of Marillion from the books, and will be called Marillion. This kind of replaces tongue-less Marillion, but since that guy was never named on screen he can be written off as some other singer, and the “new” Marillion can be free to, you know, sing.

It’s a good thought, with the one problem being that he’s been working out, which for Marillion is pointless. He could be one of the Kingsguard. I doubt he’d be replacing Edmure – makes no sense (looks not a whit like the guy, and we probably won’t see much of Edmure this year anyway – one episode? None?)

I also think the guy who played Furio could play someone from one of the Free Cities. He seems to have a thick Italian accent, which would work much better than the New Jersey accents that dominate the show.

I’m also hoping they get Ian McShane at some point. Most Deadwood actors would sound out of place, but I think he’d be a near-perfect Doran Martell.

Basically the only storyline that I think we can rule out completely is the Night’s Watch, as I believe Kit Harrington said he is done filming for this season. Also, following on from that, can we assume that we won’t see Donal Noye, Othell Yarwyck or Bowen Marsh in season 4 because there weren’t any casting announcements involving them?

I think the report claiming that was more a “friend of a friend” kinda thing or it was a misunderstanding. It’s doubtful imo that they managed to shoot all of the Night’s Watch stuff in not even 3 weeks. So, maybe he is playing a character from that storyline.

EDIT: WHAT IF Mark Gatiss is playing Bowen Marsh? Unless I am much mistaken he was filming in NI where the Castle Black set is, at the same time as Kit Harington. It would also explain why he was only filming for a week and why they got some one so well known to play a minor role as Bowen will become a larger role later on.

MIND = BLOWN
I used to be on Bloodraven bandwagon, but this is actually a very viable suggestion

I could see him as Arys Oakheart honestly, but I think it is too early to introduce Arys. Story wise it just does ot work to not have Arys already in Dorn with Myrcella and Arianne etc…

A lot of people think Kettleblack and Kingsgaurd combination, but what if he is a younger and more noble type of KG… Perhaps he could be Ser Balon Swann?
They could intro him this year and send him off to Dorn with Oberyn’s bones or Gregor’s head a bit later.

If he is in fact replacing a previous role held by another actor that limits things even more… Most other KG have not been introduced by name… I do not see him replacing Edmure or Bejen… It also would eliminate the possibility of him playing any knight Brienne would meet on her travels. The only NW role that would make sense would be Grenn, but I thought I saw that Mark Stanley was back this year… No?

I know Emun Elliot’s series The Paradise was picked up for a second series so maybe he is buy filming and not available to play Marillion like someone mentioned? I don’t get the bulking up if that is the case though.

Maybe replacing a previous role is not accurate?
All I know is that the more rumors and hints at details that come out the more confused I am! XD

Time to step back and just wait until we find out at which location he films maybe…

I’m fairly confident that he isn’t playing Marillion II as he wouldn’t be working out for that role. I also don’t think he’ll be playing anyone at The Wall as they’ve wrapped for this season. I also don’t see him being Euron or Victarion, due to age.

Ross: Can someone assuage those fears and tell me Jerome Flynn has been confirmed / seen filming for S4?

He hasn’t been seen yet but it’s very unlikely that they’d lose him. Bronn is important in the show, and a fan fave too. If the actor is busy they will try to schedule around it first, or they can reduce the role so it requires less days filming. Replacing someone is quite drastic and a last resort.

Anyway, this what Jerome said back in March. He mentioned that there’s an overlap but it sounded workable. Ripper Street shoots in Dublin …

Scheduling-wise, would there be a conflict between Game of Thrones and Ripper Street?

Flynn: It’s tight, especially now. There’s a two month crossover. By a stroke of luck, both are being filmed in Ireland. Most of Bronn’s stuff is there, maybe a day or two in Croatia, but most of it is in Belfast. It’s a two and a half hour drive, so, I’m hoping that neither part gets compromised. The big payoff is in Croatia, at King’s Landing. Oh, Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I had a few weeks out there. Otherwise it’s Belfast, Titanic Studios, which is where the Titanic was built.

I could give a few reasons why it actually would make sense, and would be foreshadowing for someone else, etc, but seriously: why are people still trying to find Syrio Forel in any halfway badass minor character? The conspiracy theorist is alive in every geek, and the longer a series takes, the crazier the ideas about who is secretly maskerading as who get.

Lou Reed, msd posted part of an interview with Jerome Flynn above, where he states that he’s pulling double duty on GoT and Ripper Street. I don’t think we need to worry about him.
I honestly don’t know where the idea that Jaime could be recast comes from, but NCW was seen socializing in Belfast with other castmembers. He’s a pretty high-profile actor, and Jaime is a main character, I think if he was off the show, we’d have heard of it by now.

This guy is surely replacing Anguy. He looks just like Philip McGinley. The Brotherhood still has story left, and Anguy is a bigger character than in the books. I’m assuming that they were going with making Anguy in the TV series a combined Anguy/Lem Lemoncloak/Harwin hybrid character-type.

Haha, yeah, the Syrio theories are just crazy! I thought the Coldhands theory was pretty decent at first but book 5 had nothing going for it.

I mostly thought it was possible since Benjen, as a Stark, has good chances to be a warg, and if he warged out of his body while he was killed and then back into it after the Others raised him… might result in a wight with limited free will. Or, you know, not. I don’t remember what it was in Book 5 that gave us more insight in who Coldhands might be specifically, but it’s been a while since I read it.

I’d be very surprised if Kit was finished filming. There hasn’t been any info on the filming of a giant battle in Belfast. The NW storyline will probably be one of the last to finish filming.

Agree. Filming the Battle at the Wall will be a huge undertaking. Surely we would have some filming reports (or teasers) by now if it had been completed.

With such little information as to who has actually been filming, it is hard to make an educated guess about this re-casting. Maybe Meryn Trant. With Jaime back in town, it may be time to focus a bit more on the KG and introduce the fact that Cersei is sleeping with one (or more of them). Rather than confuse everyone with random Kettleblacks, maybe Trant takes on that role. Very easy to understand why Cersei would be attracted to Huisman.

He definitely does look like Anguy. I’m pretty positive Philip McGinley will be returning, though. I’ve posted before that he responded to me on one of his “social profiles,” if you know what I mean, and said he would be returning in the future. He quickly deleted it, but it still showed up on my “Activity” feed. ;)

He is a fantastic actor, and I really enjoy hating, then empathizing with, his charachter on Treme. Seriously, if you haven’t watched, give it a try. He’s super compelling, it’s almost a shame because if he is replacing an existing character, my hunch is it is more of a backgroud part and I hate to think of all that wasted charisma.

Joseph Mawle??? He was the perfect looking Stark!!! He was the only one that really looked as it should. Ned, Jon and even Arya simply don’t have the characteristic Stark face. It would be ashamed if this was true. Anyway I think it’s wrong…. why would he need training if he was playing Benjen?? (you spoiled it, not me)

I had a thought that he could be playing Dareon from the Night’s Watch. The character appeared briefly as an extra and was called out by name, so we know Dareon will eventually be cast.

And Dareon is a bard, with a voice like “honey poured over thunder,” or some such. Wouldn’t shock me if they introduced Dareon during the battle at the Wall—just for us to get to know him before he’s sent off.

Be interesting seeing Arya kill his traitorous ass. Hope that’s what it is!

C’mon guys! It always amazes me reading these comments how filtered bits of information get. It’s like playing telephone.

We don’t know yet if he’s filming in Croatia or Belfast, or how long he’s filming for. We just know that he hasn’t filmed yet, and will be filming soon, when all the King’s Landing and/or Danaerys stuff is filming.

“Recurring role,” said the second report. My best guest would be Meryn Trant, personally, if he’s replacing someone. And by replacing, I assume it means someone who has actually been in the show post- season 1 in a recurring role, not someone who was in season 1 and hasn’t been seen since. Although Ian Beattie, who plays Trant now, is a Belfast theatre actor, so I wouldn’t foresee any particular problems with that actor leaving or schedule conflicts. And this guy doesn’t really mesh with how Trant’s been portrayed to date; this guy’s much visibly younger, and less of a doglike block-of-stone guard dude, I think. But I can’t really think of anyone else that fits the details we’ve been given.

Anybody consider Steelshanks? I guess he wasn’t with Jaime and Brienne when they arrived in King’s Landing in Episode 10 of season 3, but you know, who knows, they might expand his role a little.

My immediate thought with his musical background was a younger, sexier Tom Sevenstrings. I hate that they had to cut him. Maybe he can be an amalgam of Tom and Anguy. After all, someone has to sing “The Dornishman’s wife”. Right?

Fire And Blood:
I had a thought that he could be playing Dareon from the Night’s Watch. The character appeared briefly as an extra and was called out by name, so we know Dareon will eventually be cast.

Fire And Blood,
That is a good suggestion. However, in my personal predictions I have always assumed that they would have Pyp take over the role. In season 1 they establish quite clearly that Pyp can sing. Also, Pyp mentions in season 1 how he will never get to touch a woman again all because a Lord ‘tried to touch his cock’. That could set up his desertion, as he feels he didn’t deserve being sent to the watch and has a certain liking for women. Also, having Pyp be the deserter would make the storyline far more tense and emotional, as he is someone who has been around from the start of the show (almost).

Anyway, if he plays Hyle Hunt I will throw a party with many cakes and cheese platters. I could also see him playing Aeron, because I always got the impression he was sort of significantly younger than his brothers. I could be (read: am probably) wrong though. Time will tell!

Also, folks, let’s back off a bit on the whole “I wonder if they’d replace ____,” and from there jumping to “This really makes me upset.” You’re kind of projecting and then working out your obsessions all at once. We know nothing.

Fire And Blood:
I had a thought that he could be playing Dareon from the Night’s Watch. The character appeared briefly as an extra and was called out by name, so we know Dareon will eventually be cast.

And Dareon is a bard, with a voice like “honey poured over thunder,” or some such. Wouldn’t shock me if they introduced Dareon during the battle at the Wall—just for us to get to know him before he’s sent off.

Be interesting seeing Arya kill his traitorous ass. Hope that’s what it is!

And the fact that Sam mentioned his name to Gilly in their campfire chat. I don’t recall the character’s brief appearance,however.

The Blue Grace: I mostly thought it was possible since Benjen, as a Stark, has good chances to be a warg, and if he warged out of his body while he was killed and then back into it after the Others raised him… might result in a wight with limited free will. Or, you know, not. I don’t remember what it was in Book 5 that gave us more insight in who Coldhands might be specifically, but it’s been a while since I read it.

Oh….me likey that theory! Unfortunately, Coldhands is supposed to be very, very old, according to the CotF. Might be better applied to the show if not the books.

I think you’re mixing up Pyp with Daereon in the books here – the part you mention under the spoilers was never said by Pyp on the show, only that the Lord tried to grab a feel, and that he lied about his reason for going to the wall because he was embarrassed/didn’t want even more problems.

My bet is Pyp will be replacing Dareon. I think a Marillion type replacement is a good bet. It’s difficult for me to see him doing a spot on Northern Irish accent so something Essos related would be more suitable but I love him on Treme and think he would fit in many places including a Kettleblack.

I think you’re mixing up Pyp with Daereon in the books here – the part you mention under the spoilers was never said by Pyp on the show, only that the Lord tried to grab a feel, and that he lied about his reason for going to the wall because he was embarrassed/didn’t want even more problems.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned him as a possible replacement for Joffrey. Seeing as they replaced Tommen with an older actor, it would make sense that they would want to make Joffrey older as well and Jack Gleeson has already stated his desire to stop being an actor.

The Blue Grace:Ser Tahu,
I think you’re mixing up Pyp with Daereon in the books here – the part you mention under the spoilers was never said by Pyp on the show, only that the Lord tried to grab a feel, and that he lied about his reason for going to the wall because he was embarrassed/didn’t want even more problems.

Season 1, episode 7, about 35-40 mintues in:
When Jon is pissed off at being named to the stewards instead of the rangers Pyp says:
“Fair! I was singing for a high lord at Acorn Hall when he put his hand on my leg and he wanted to see my cock! I pushed him away and he had me arrested for stealing his silver, so now I’m here at the end of the world with no one to sing for but old men and little shits like you. I’ll never see my family again. I’ll never be inside a woman again. So don’t tell me about fair.” Sam then asks Pyp to sing for him and he storms off.

Ser Tahu: Season 1, episode 7, about 35-40 mintues in:
When Jon is pissed off at being named to the stewards instead of the rangers Pyp says:
“Fair! I was singing for a high lord at Acorn Hall when he put his hand on my leg and he wanted to see my cock! I pushed him away and he had me arrested for stealing his silver, so now I’m here at the end of the world with no one to sing for but old men and little shits like you. I’ll never see my family again. I’ll never be inside a woman again. So don’t tell me about fair.” Sam then asks Pyp to sing for him and he storms off.

So no, I don’t have the show and the book mixed up.

I stand corrected! Sorry for doubting you, Ser Tahu.
I still hope you’re wrong, simply because I like Pyp, and he wouldn’t deserve that. Also, Dareon is such a douchebag in AFFC. Especially to Sam and Gilly.

We still can’t be sure he has a particularly active or athletic role. It seems likely, but we don’t know. All we know from what the trainer said is that Huisman looks different from when he was in Treme (no surprise) and will be leaving for GoT in a week. It doesn’t say he was required to bulk up, it doesn’t mention any particular athletic skill training, which Huisman would be getting if he’s expected to swing a sword.

For all we know that’s just his regular lifting coach, and a few weeks ago he came in and said, “I just got cast for GoT! I wanna look as good as possible!” What strength coach wouldn’t brag about that kind of connection?

I’m also looking at that Deadline Hollywood report more skeptically, here in the morning. Not that they are completely wrong, but that “replacing another actor” can mean a few things:

1. Total recast
2. Replacing a named background extra
3. Taking on a new character as a very similar character is written off the show
4. Replacing someone new this season who wasn’t working out (no pun intended…but I’m not changing it either)

Assuming that it would be bigger news for a starring actor to quit or be fired, he is not outright replacing anyone significant. I don’t really consider Karstark/Dondarrion-type changes as replacements (compare: if a character only needs a stunt double one episode, then the normal actor steps in for the first time next episode, is the stuntman really “replaced”?), and the latter two possibilities leave it fairly open.

My guesses are still a Trant replacement/Kettleblack amalgam (named Kettleblack) or Marillion, with the retcon that that other guy was someone else.

msd: Scheduling-wise, would there be a conflict between Game of Thrones and Ripper Street?
Flynn: It’s tight, especially now. There’s a two month crossover. By a stroke of luck, both are being filmed in Ireland. Most of Bronn’s stuff is there, maybe a day or two in Croatia, but most of it is in Belfast. It’s a two and a half hour drive, so, I’m hoping that neither part gets compromised. The big payoff is in Croatia, at King’s Landing. Oh, Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I had a few weeks out there. Otherwise it’s Belfast, Titanic Studios, which is where the Titanic was built.

Thanks for posting that – although it has actually made me more nervous that it’s Flynn if he knew it was going to be tight back then. His comment “I’m hoping that neither part gets compromised” does concern me. Huisman also has the scoundrel / laid-back bad ass look which fits.

The Blue Grace: “Lothor Brune showed up very briefly at the beginning of Season 2. He’d be a bigger role with Littlefinger and Sansa moving on to the Vale, it makes sense to recast him with another actor.”

I think this is an excellent point. Lothor Brune of season 2 was a “blink and you’ll miss him” sort of appearance played by an unnamed stuntman, as I recall, and TV-only fans might not even remember him. Recasting with a named actor would work with the Littlefinger/Sansa/Vale arc coming up.

I think that because he’s Dutch jus like Carice(Melisandra) he’ll be a character in Essos, so that the possible accent makes sense. I also read somewhere that he will be replacing someone, and he is training so a warrior type would make sense. So my guess is he’ll be playing Daario

In Treme his character is originally from Amsterdam, but has been in New Orleans a long time and hardly has an accent. He can do accents or just naturally has a very slight one when he speaks English. No reason to think he is being typecast for his accent.

Hodor’s Bastard: Maybe the blue hair and gold mustachios are coming back to his character? I sure hope Skrein backed out of GoT for a good reason, but this is bound to cause some confusion.

lol, I hope not. The daggers make the character silly enough.

Too bad about Ed Skrein, but Huisman looks like he could have that swagger. And his credits certainly speak for him, so I doubt this will be a problem, other than an initial confusion. And if he inherits the wig, maybe people won’t even notice. Much.

RE the recasting. Not a bad idea (although I still hope for a Kettleblack). I wasn’t that impressed with Skrein’s acting, and Huisman has good credits on that front and looks enough like Skrein to pull off the switch without it being too noticeable.

Wait, it’s really confirmed that Daario V1 is gone? I didn’t mind him, and unlike Tommen I don’t see why they replace Ed Skrein. Also unlike Tommen, this is a recast that I’m really going to notice and that will really, really annoy me.

if you follow the confirmation link, it now specifies that he’ll replace Ed Skrein as Daario. They don’t say why, but maybe there was a scheduling conflict, or something else kept Skrein from returning. This really seems like a rather late switch.

I am upset and disappointed with this news. I loved Ed Skrein as Daario and am very interested to learn why he was replaced. Now, having said that, I’m sure that we will never find out the reason for this move.

Alternatively, Huisman was a very sexy Liam on Nashville so I’m sure that he will do fine in the role. Wonder if he will get Skrein’s long blonde wig?

I’m conflicted. I didn’t think Skreins Daario’s was bad but it wasn’t great either and this guy does look more like the Daario in my minds eye, but man its going to be hard to see how they will pull off the change since I don’t think you can put a blond wig on him to make him a similar character.

Yes HBO is giving us the middle finger here. I bet they don’t even give an exceptable reason as to why he was recast. Just like the mountain but worse since Daario is part of that epic fight with grey worm and Jorah already

GeekFurious:
I am not a big fan of changing actors for characters who have already become pretty known to even the general viewer.

I agree. Daario is quite memorable; the change will be obvious. I hope the reason is not something that could have/should have been anticipated before they hired Skrein.

Its one thing to recast Beric and hope that no one notices. But with Daario, that’s unlikely. I understand that these kind of things happen in “show biz” but I would like to think that they are avoidable.

Turncloak: Yes HBO is giving us the middle finger here. I bet they don’t even give an exceptable reason as to why he was recast. Just like the mountain but worse since Daario is part of that epic fight with grey worm and Jorah already

Oh stop it. Either the guy left or got fired. Either way its almost certainly Skreins fault in some way. We are talking about a guy who already had a shady reputation here.

At this point I’m wondering why they even bothered to give so much screen time to Theon in season 3. If they are recasting recognizable characters then they shouldn’t have been worried about losing Alfie Allen to a competitor if he missed a season on GOT

Maybe there are children around here , so let’s just say that I like continuity and I definitely don’t like this news.. ;-)
Well, nothing to change the recasting now if true at all (but I guess it is even HBO hasn’t confirmed it yet). We will see how it plays out…

I didn’t like Skrein, as I thought he wasn’t a very good actor. However, the change will be very jarring to most viewers, as Skrein was featured quite heavily at the end of season 3. I know it must be a pain to work with such a large cast, but I really hope the recasts are finished. I can understand recasting Beric and Tommen, as one was just a featured extra who didn’t speak and the other was just a child. The Mountain is pretty much the actor’s fault. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what the deal with Skrein was. If they are just rplacing him because his acting wasn’t what they wanted, then they should have done a better job casting the role in the first place.

I have no idea what happened with Ed Skrein, but it is what it is. Huisman is a good actor, he’s very sexy, and I’m not going to penalize him for being a recast. It’s out of our hands. Shows don’t usually justify themselves to the public unless it’s with a totally bull reason (“we’re taking the character in a different direction”), or something innocent like a child actor wanting to leave and go off to school (a la Becky on Roseanne). I’m not going to worry about why Skrein isn’t around anymore. I liked him fine, but this guy’s good too.

But anyway, although I will find the change really jarring and annoying for a while I will probably be used to it before the end of season 4, or by season 5 at the latest. And I’m sure there was some legitimate reason behind it.

Really? Youre comparing a main character in Theon, who was in the first 2 seasons and featured heavily, to a side character in Daario, who was in 3 episodes. Not to mention Alfie is a FAR better actor than Skrein.

Please, BC, help us understand…maybe Emilia/Dany is a diva who requested a change? Did Skrein receive another offer he couldn’t refuse? Just when we got used to the changes for screen Daario, who even had some decent scenes and lines in S3, we must adapt further. Oh, we will bitch…please help us understand!

Ours is the Fury:
I have no idea what happened with Ed Skrein, but it is what it is. Huisman is a good actor, he’s very sexy, and I’m not going to penalize him for being a recast. It’s out of our hands. Shows don’t usually justify themselves to the public unless it’s with a totally bull reason (“we’re taking the character in a different direction”), or something innocent like a child actor wanting to leave and go off to school (a la Becky on Roseanne). I’m not going to worry about why Skrein isn’t around anymore. I liked him fine, but this guy’s good too.

I totally agree. It’s a big production. These things happen, and we’ll likely never know the exact reason.

Turncloak: Yes HBO is giving us the middle finger here. I bet they don’t even give an exceptable reason as to why he was recast. Just like the mountain but worse since Daario is part of that epic fight with grey worm and Jorah already

the Mountain was recasted because the actor quit the series to play an Orc in The Hobbit, what you are saying is nonsense.

Well, at least this guy is meant to be a good actor…and he’s definitely more attractive…but this bothers me. In fact, it’s the first bit of recasting that’s bothered me. They made Daario memorable in his introduction, and this guy looks nothing like Skrein. I suppose with a cast as large as this one it’s going to happen more frequently than with other shows. Still, it’s a minor irritation, and it’s going to double the confusion for my already baffled unsullied friends.

Now I can totally see Stevenson as Victarion but my minds-eye has always fan-casted Rufus Sewell as Euron. Vincent Cassell is a great fan-cast though! Properly creepy and sexy.

Maybe I am alone in this but I really liked Ed Skrien as Daario. Sexy and masculine and charismatic…all the things I equate with the character. I thought he had pretty solid chemistry with Clark, who has improved so much but in the grand scheme, is a weaker link when it comes to acting. Huisman is a great addition but I hate recasts. I have faith in Nina Gold, she hasn’t really steered the ship into mucky waters yet but this is a total bummer.

What? A series that employs literally hundreds of main and recurring characters has an issue here and there with actor availability and/or performance? Color me shocked.

Get pissed off all you like but when you are running a production monster this big with so many actors and crew members involved, it’s not going to be neat and tidy for 8-9 seasons.

I also have a hard time understanding why the immediate reaction by some is to blame HBO for this when it’s almost certain that the fault lies with the actor themselves (availability, off-screen issues, performance etc). HBO would try and do everything in their power to avoid recasting a character. If they do something like this, it’s because they have no other choice.

They’re a reliable entertainment outlet, and they wouldn’t actually name the character he’s replacing without confirmation from HBO.

Thanks! I’m honestly clueless as to which outlets are reliable and which ones aren’t.

I’m not a huge fan of the recasting (I thought Skrein was fine in the role, though I’m not a fan of the character in either book or TV form), but I can deal with it. Not great news, unless the new guy is fantastic, but not the end of the world either.

Perhaps Ed was asking for more money? Perhaps this is the producers warning shot against the bow for all other actors on the show who might want to play hardball re their contracts that face time does not mean irreplaceable? I got the impression the Skein was more interested in his music career anyway.

Just keep Michael’s beard and most people will assume the old actor just grew one!

That’s a shame, but considering we’re going to be 4 seasons into this mammoth show, things could definitely be worse.

I found Ed Skrein’s portrayal of Daario (who’s character I don’t particularly care for), pretty good. It will be a little jarring to see someone else in his role, but I suppose they can pretend he’s a faceless man or something!

The Young Wolf:
This is going to confuse the hell out of the casual viewers.

I doubt it. To quote an unsullied friend of mine after the Red Wedding: “at least it’s a bunch of characters less whose faces I have to remember.” I doubt he’ll care what Dany’s boytoy looks like, as long as it is obviously Dany’s boytoy.

I like bitchfests like these because I find some aspect of the show that i love and others hate and read their arguments and kinda see where they are coming from. But when a change occurs that has nothing to do with the plot or the adaptation but the actual production of the show and the same people get sore…it allows me to take the opinions on here with a grain of salt and lend weight to my earlier opinion
Personally I had my doubts about Skrein, maybe he would have worked out, maybe not. Thats showbiz folks.

Yeah, considering the scope of the production it’s actually fairly impressive that they haven’t had to recast any characters until now (who have had more than one line). It’s unfortunate that they have to recast but, after the shock of his first appearance everything will continue on as usual. Besides, I’m actually looking forward to see what Huisman will bring to the part. I have a feeling Huisman will bring more of a seedy/dangerous aspect to Daario that was missing from Ed Skrein’s “generic hunk” take on hin.

In a cast of hundreds, Daario/Skrein was probably around the 30th billed actor. The whole reaction to the character was mainly “he’s hot/lets nickname him Fabio(The Model, not Fire And Blood). So long as the new guy is hot, he will serve his purpose.

IMO he would have been excellent as Coldhands. He looks similar enough to Jospeh Mawle that you could believe he was Benjen(assuming that little theory is true).

As for him replacing Ed Skrein, I’m shocked. It can’t be cos they disliked how he was playing Daario. They had plenty of time to screen him and, even if they only realized how bad he was when he got on set, they could have reshot it(Newsroom proved that HBO is open to drastic reshoots)(and it’s not like his scenes are incredibly technical). It must be something bts, which is even more confusing when you consider how coveted roles on GoT are. Why would he leave?

Tyrion Pimpslap:
If they are just rplacing him because his acting wasn’t what they wanted, then they should have done a better job casting the role in the first place.

That’s exactly correct. There’s nothing about the character of Daario that is subtle so I found nothing problematic with Skrein’s performance. But I what I think doesn’t matter – clearly there was a problem somewhere.

Ours is the Fury:
I have no idea what happened with Ed Skrein, but it is what it is. Huisman is a good actor, he’s very sexy, and I’m not going to penalize him for being a recast…I’m not going to worry about why Skrein isn’t around anymore. I liked him fine, but this guy’s good too.

Huisman is incredibly sexy – he will be fine in this role. I actually happy that he has been cast in GOT…just wish that he was a different character.

what i will say is probably ridiculous, but what if maybe they had to recast because they wanted to get Daario naked on camera, and Ed refused. Michiel has done nude on camera (full frontal too). He might have auditioned for the role before, so they went to him now.

Jarring, because though I didn’t particularly like Ed Skrein’s acting, I really, really liked the way he was introduced into the show, and it was set up that he would be a pretty major character throughout Danaerys’ storyline, and this kind of makes you blink your eyes and draw yourself out of the established story. ALAS. So it goes.
(Personally though, I actually think this guy will be a better Daario Naharis, once we stop commenting on the internet about it.)

How does Skrein have a shady reputation? I’m not aware of this. If so then Cat Taylor really dropped the ball on this one

Ummm… that part’s pretty common knowledge. He has a gang history, petty crime etc. Got stabbed in a gang fight when he was a teenager and stuff.

That aside though, no idea. I liked him as Daario. Possibilities:

1. He just quit.
2. He had another project that he wanted to take which clashed with filming (ask Conan about what happens if you do that).
3. He was a douche to work with (according to unsubstantiated rumours, ask Conan about what happens if you do that).
4. He wanted more money than they would give him, and quit.
5. Something else happened, like illness or injury or something.

or, less likely

6. The producers thought they could get a better actor.

Seriously though, to anyone who thinks D&D or HBO are just trolling… Nobody replaces an actor without good reason. It’s 99% of the time one of the reasons listed 1-5 above. Most commonly 2 and/or 3. Reason 6 is only really things like when you use a featured extra to stand around in a scene, then a few seasons later cast a real actor (e.g Beric).

I watch Nashville, and this guy is a good actor, and great musician. He is also good looking, so there you go. ;-) Is it final he’s going to play Daario, because this guy would be perfect to play a musician character. But, this guy will not be disappointing, i’m pretty sure, no matter what role it is.

I am super glad he was recast, though it will be a bit strange, as others said. But I grew up with Fresh Prince of Bel Air! Infamous Vivian change….if I could survive that (probably destroyed my little kid life) and Boy Meets World’s inferior Morgan, I can survive this! Though this one will probably be an improvement. Lately, Daenerys’s story is the one where I’m most aware I’m watching people act.

As for all this, well…it happens. Other than the Mountain, none of the recastings, be they featured extras that morph into actual actors, or a couple of the kids, really mattered to me at all. This is a bit more noticeable, but hell, if Don Cheadle can step in for Terence Howard in the Iron Man movies, and it can happen on Roseanne, it can happen here.

Also, we’d have to consider just about how important the character is. Where does he rank? Let’s see: Below all 3 Lannister children + Tywin, below Sansa/Arya/Bran/Jon Snow, below Danys/Jorah/Barristan, below Varys/Littlefinger/Pycelle/Shae, below Joffrey/the Hound, below Brienne/Bronn/Theon/Yara/Balon, below Margaery/Lady Olenna/Loras and this season, below Mace Tyrell, Oberyn Martell and Ellaria. Oh, yeah, below Samwell, and Gilly, and of course Ygritte, Tormund Giantsbane and because of his psychological importance, Mance Rayder. He’s probably around the level of Missandei, Osha, the Reeds and Qyburn.

So that ranks him about 35th most important. I dare say we’ll live, especially as he’s a good actor, he’s blonde and cute and getting in shape.

I actually really liked Skrein as Daario and having such a huge continuity break feels SUPER “icky” to me, but this new guy looks sooooo much more like how i pictured Daario. Hell, I agree with people saying he should just have the blue hair now (for all we know it was Skrein’s idea to axe the flamboyancy). They could explain Daario’s new gettup as a result of his new found wealth/success upon joining Daenerys’ crew.

It’s probably not because of money. Huisman has been on Treme and Nashville, both an HBO and broadcast show. I’m sure he’s not making huge bucks per episode but he definitely commands a higher fee than Skrein.

Meh. He was one of the only actors in GoT who I didn’t think was fantastic, so no tears from this quarter. A recasting was bound to happen at some point. Glad it wasn’t, say, Missandei, who *did* really click and had similar screentime.

I’m actually glad he’s the new daario. He’s super sexy and skrein was just…not right. Not sure what it was but I didn’t like his portrayal and he was too pretty for my taste. Also I don’t think recasting a minor character is a big deal. Yea it might be jarring at first, but not for long enough that it’s worth having skrein over huisman.

Also my thought was maybe Emilia didn’t like working with him so they had to get rid of him…

Well I’m disappointed. I really liked Skrein’s portrayal. I also liked his appearance. He has a unique smooth look to him that complements the beauty-obsessed personality of Daario we got in the show, which I was immensely pleased with.

Whatever the reason (I’d suspect #5), it makes sense that D&D would go with a HBO veteran who was available, reliable, and a known quantity, to replace him. If an actor has personal problems or issues, typically one never hears about it until long after the fact, if ever. The exception was Andy Whitfield, whose health problems just couldn’t be concealed at the time Spartacus was coming off a successful first season.

The Blue Grace: lol, I hope not. The daggers make the character silly enough.

Too bad about Ed Skrein, but Huisman looks like he could have that swagger. And his credits certainly speak for him, so I doubt this will be a problem, other than an initial confusion. And if he inherits the wig, maybe people won’t even notice. Much.

Well stated. When I read the initial post , earlier, I dismissed the news as hot rumour,
but really I’m indifferent. The replacement actor will perform his tasks, as well as
any for such a role. Huisman has proven capable, although the first sighting
onscreen may startle a few folk for a minute. If he gets to keep Skrein’s wig, then I
may continue to daydream about brushing his lovely locks____ unlike book Daario’s
cold calculated exterior . Perhaps we’ll see a blue earring.

I thought it false too, but it appears to be legitimate, according to confirmed reports.
When I read this post yesterday, there was remained some skepticism,from
sources. Skrein was okay, for what changes GoT wanted his character to
portray.

I thibk I am mostly upset about recast not because of continuity break or any special affection I had for Ed Skrein, but because such a talented charismatic actor as Huisman will be wasted portrayed Dany’s boy toy (who we thought was covered already). Pity – he would have made wonderful Kettlewaters or Euron

Loki: Go in the goddamn Conans blog and read all the truth about this, and then stop thinking up this bullshit.

Conan’s story very conveniently omits the fact that he had committed to go and film the Hobbit which was shooting at the same time as S2 of GoT. I assume he believed they could work around his schedule to accommodate this but as we know, the GoT shooting schedule is insane and strictly enforced in order to make everything work on time and on budget. So they said thanks but no thanks and got someone else.

They did the exact same thing to the actor who played Rakharo when he said he was going to be in World War Z and would only be available for a few days. It was enough time for them to kill the character off and replace him with Kovarro.

Clive Mantle did the same thing to them in S2 and told them he wasn’t available which screwed them over in terms of Robb’s bannermen and forced them to write the Greatjon out as if he never existed.

The only problem I have here is that Huisman looks to likeable. Ed Skrein as Daario looked like the sleezy, arrogant asshole Daario is supposed to be. I just wanted to punch him in the face every time he appeared on screen. I’m not getting that from this guy, but with his acting resume and the GoT costume and make-up on that will probably be alright.

I might be in the minority but I liked Ed Skrein’s performance as Daario. I never liked the character in the books, nor was he meant to be liked I guess…In the novels he strikes me that while he is a good fighter, he mostly resembles an overinflated peacock…besides he would have looked ridiculous on screen the way he is described in the novels. So I liked the fact that they tonned that part down and the way he was protrayed in the series, especially since I don’t really want to see Johny Depp as Captain Sparrow prancing on-screen…GoT is not “Pirates Of The Carribbean”…

But I guess things happen and for whatever reason (what exactly was the reason for the recasting…anyone know?) they had to recast this role. Not to thrilled about it but it is what it is…however D&D and the rest of the honchos running GoT have to start paying more attention to all these recastings, because at some point it will become beyond a mere annoyance. While some few background characters are allright since most viewers won’t notice, as they start recasting more prominent or characters. with a higher visibility…well let’s say…its not really good…

I still stand by the fact that I WANT Conan Stevens back as The Mountain! Bring him back!

Ed Skrein was ok but Huisman already looks like he could act much better.
and btw i don’t think Emilia had something to do with it because actors are not allowed to complain about their co stars and wanting a recast, that’s up to the casting director and producers.
i more think that Ed Skrein had a) too bad critics and b) acted not good enough. he was ok, but Game of Thrones doesn’t need ok, it needs fantastic ;)

Well this will be a jaring suprise for veiwers. Let hope it will be used as oportunity to make Dario character better and closer to books. I did not mind Skrain version of it (it strongly reminded me on Zevran character from Dragon Age:Origins), but i wished he would be more dangerous and untrustworthy, to make Dany lust/love for him as questionable as in the books.

Well, if Saved by the Bell could replace Kelly and Jessie with Tori this could work too.

I kid!

Recasts suck, but they happen. I’m sure there was a good reason. Michiel is hotter and probably a better actor anyway. Daario’s not a main character or anything. He might even be dead right now. Take deep breaths and try to relax. This won’t doom the show.

I feel OK about they replacing Tommen, because the original actor doesn’t really leave me any impression, and Chapman was so good at the short time he appeared in last season. But with Daario, I am sure Huisman is a great actor, many loves him on Treme, but Skrein makes huge impressions to me , it will be hard to shake his Daario out of my mind. So I could accept this change, but really I am not excited or happy about it.

Wasn’t expecting this kind of news !
I think it will be strange at the beginning, and, as someone said, when watching season 3 and season 4 back-to-back. But I’m sure I’ll get use to it pretty soon. It’s not like we had the choice, right ?
Moreover, let’s be honest, Ed’s Daario appeared in what… 2 episodes ? (3×08 & 3×10 ?), so ok, he had quite a lot of screentime in those ep, enough for us to remember his face. But I would rather have him recast now, that in the end of s4 for example, when he could have had many more scenes, many more lines, many more screentime… And when we could have really get used to him.
I can’t wait to see how this new actor will play the character. Like some others, I wasn’t really thrilled by Ed’s acting, so I hope this new guy could do better and make me forget the “original” actor even faster.

i think its actually kind of a miracle that no other major characters have been recast yet. keep in mind that got has an enormous amount of child/young actors. i guess fitting the schedule is even more difficult for them than the adults. im actually happy about the daario recast, didnt really like skrein

Oh yeah nice! I prefer this actor, I really didn’t like the original Daario, he looked like a girly Brit student going through a ‘metal’ phase and had none of the swagger and sex appeal of book Daario.

King Tommen: Conan’s story very conveniently omits the fact that he had committed to go and film the Hobbit which was shooting at the same time as S2 of GoT. I assume he believed they could work around his schedule to accommodate this but as we know, the GoT shooting schedule is insane and strictly enforced in order to make everything work on time and on budget. So they said thanks but no thanks and got someone else.

They did the exact same thing to the actor who played Rakharo when he said he was going to be in World War Z and would only be available for a few days. It was enough time for them to kill the character off and replace him with Kovarro.

Clive Mantle did the same thing to them in S2 and told them he wasn’t available which screwed them over in terms of Robb’s bannermen and forced them to write the Greatjon out as if he never existed.

All three of those substitutes did NOTHING anyway. Whyte had one line and picked someone out of a lineup. It didnt have to be the Mountain. Kavarro was equally unused. What’s to prevent the GreatJon from returning season 4 with Bran and Osha at the Umbers (if they ever make it there)?

They might as well just had them offscreen until they were able to return to production.

I loved him as Liam on Nashville, so now I’m gonna have a hard time hating Daario (which I do because of reasons). He’s a fine actor and I’m excited to see him. Ed didn’t really do anything for me looks or talent wise.

If people are saying that Ed Skrein has a “history” then I wonder why he was cast in the first place. A mistake by Nina Gold and the casting department if this is the case. If its a scheduling conflict than that makes more sense

My understanding of the situation is that the problem was that the filming dates for THE HOBBIT and GoT did not overlap directly. What instead happened was that Stevens would be in New Zealand for a few weeks, would then have to fly to Belfast to play Gregor, would have to fly back to New Zealand and then potentially would have to fly back to Belfast again later on. The logistics did not match up (in fact, I believe the core issue was that neither production was willing to pay to fly Stevens back and forth and back again from one side of the planet to the other). Faced with that choice, Stevens had to make the one that made more sense for his career and finances at the time. And if you look at Stevens’s blog, you’ll see he was hardly rolling in piles of cash before GoT came along, so it may indeed have unfortunately come down to money.

Ideally, the situation would have unfolded in a different way, but if someone offered to pay you Amount A for a couple of lines in a TV series or a much bigger Amount B for a more substantial role on a movie, then you might be tempted to go for the movie instead.

The – ironic? – problem of course was that Stevens’s role in THE HOBBIT was also pretty much cut down to nothing (I couldn’t even tell you what orc he was) when they decided to make the albino orc into a major villain instead.

As for Clive Mantle, I think the problem there was that HBO refused to pre-book him for S2 (which hadn’t been greenlit) and his agent took on another job in the meantime. That’s actually perfectly normal in the TV business and for actors who may be living year-to-year and job-to-job, they do not have the luxury of holding out hoping that something else might happen. HBO can’t afford to pay every actor a retainer just in case the next season is picked up, and in this case they ran into problems because of it. What is unusual is how HBO reacted, seeming to take it as an affront and not even asking Mantle back for the third or (as far as we know) fourth season. A single line of dialogue could have indicated that the Greatjon was off with some soldiers fighting the Lannisters and job done.

Damn… I’m really sad to see Ed Skrein go… he really grasped the essence of Daario… and I may be the only book-reader ever to like Daario as a character, I find him really interesting, ambiguous and, maybe, for that and all he is, in the end (and because GRRM likes to mind-fuck us) maybe… a really trustworthy guy !

I didn’t mind Ed Skrein but let’s face it, HBO probably won’t take any notice of me. I guess one shouldn’t rush to judgement. I don’t know any of the shows the Dutch actor has been on but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he shapes up.
Re-casting has happened a few times in a British okay-but-not-great soap opera “Eastenders”. Sometimes it’s because the original actor or actress has been offered something like a movie part, or because he or she just wants to try and avoid being type-cast.

This sucks. I probably won’t find the change itself very jarring but my unsullied mom and sis will not be happy (thought Skrein was hot). Who knows maybe they will think this guy is better after a couple of eps.

I do wish The GreatJon Umber would’ve been in the second season, or at least returned to the third. He was such a great character and brought some life to Robb’s storyline. I love quoting that scene where he proclaims Robb King in the North.

Quite honestly, I thought the original Daario was horrible. He had one facial expression and every scene he was in, it was like, “I’m acting!!! Or at least trying..”, and when you’re next to powerhouses like Emilia Clarke and Iain Glen. I’ve seen him on Nashville and he is a better actor so I’m happy with the recast.

Great your from the Netherlands, and yet Huisman is receiving deserved praise for his roles in Treme and Nashville. Maybe he didn’t pick the best projects in his native country. Every good actor gets crappy roles every now and then.

Yep. I get some people liked Skrein but there is absolutely nothing we can do about this. And HBO won’t comment because a) they don’t feel the need to and b) just creates note buzz (albeit negative buzz is buzz).

My understanding of the situation is that the problem was that the filming dates for THE HOBBIT and GoT did not overlap directly. What instead happened was that Stevens would be in New Zealand for a few weeks, would then have to fly to Belfast to play Gregor, would have to fly back to New Zealand and then potentially would have to fly back to Belfast again later on. The logistics did not match up (in fact, I believe the core issue was that neither production was willing to pay to fly Stevens back and forth and back again from one side of the planet to the other). Faced with that choice, Stevens had to make the one that made more sense for his career and finances at the time. And if you look at Stevens’s blog, you’ll see he was hardly rolling in piles of cash before GoT came along, so it may indeed have unfortunately come down to money.

Ideally, the situation would have unfolded in a different way, but if someone offered to pay you Amount A for a couple of lines in a TV series or a much bigger Amount B for a more substantial role on a movie, then you might be tempted to go for the movie instead.

The – ironic? – problem of course was that Stevens’s role in THE HOBBIT was also pretty much cut down to nothing (I couldn’t even tell you what orc he was) when they decided to make the albino orc into a major villain instead.

As for Clive Mantle, I think the problem there was that HBO refused to pre-book him for S2 (which hadn’t been greenlit) and his agent took on another job in the meantime. That’s actually perfectly normal in the TV business and for actors who may be living year-to-year and job-to-job, they do not have the luxury of holding out hoping that something else might happen. HBO can’t afford to pay every actor a retainer just in case the next season is picked up, and in this case they ran into problems because of it. What is unusual is how HBO reacted, seeming to take it as an affront and not even asking Mantle back for the third or (as far as we know) fourth season. A single line of dialogue could have indicated that the Greatjon was off with some soldiers fighting the Lannisters and job done.

What I never understood is why they didn’t just write the Mountain out of season 2. You know, have him mentioned like in season 3 without actually showing him.

Also this recast makes me think Benioff and Weiss are planning after season 4 already. They have a lot of work to do in regards to Meereen I assume and want to make it work and that means putting some gravitas into the Daario character. Andy Greenwald’s Spicoli reference is still with me!

Recasts aren’t cool but I guarantee you 100% folks that decisions like this aren’t made lightly.

Stevens plays Bolg, the son of Azog (the one handed pale Orc in PJs adaptation). However PJ had extended Azogs role in the Unexpected Journey and unless they start following Azogs story line from the book, Bolgs role later on may be written out entirely.

I don’t think many casual viewers will be confused. A casual viewer friend of mine asked why Theon’s Dad was at the Red Wedding. She got Balon and the Blackfish confused because they both had grey hair. So noticing two Daarios may not be that likely.

By the end of next season, everyone will be exclaiming about how weird it will be to see Ed Skrein as Daario, and not Michiel Huisman. Skrein appeared in two episodes (though he did receive a fair amount of screen time in those episodes, and I’m not denying that this is easily the largest and most noticeable recast the production has gone through to this point), and Huisman is such a great actor that he will surely make the part his own.

In any case, the fact that The Mountain, Beric, Tommen, and now Daario have all been recast doesn’t bother me, since former two characters’ actors had zero lines prior to being replaced, and the former two seem to be getting better actors to continue on with the respective roles.

They did the exact same thing to the actor who played Rakharo when he said he was going to be in World War Z and would only be available for a few days. It was enough time for them to kill the character off and replace him with Kovarro.

Off topic. But what the heck happened to Kovarro? I kind of liked him, but in Season 3 he was gone. The older dothraki with the big beard was great as comic relief as well. Does Dany have ANY bloodriders on the TV show now?

I wasn’t a huge fan of the original casting but I hate when they do this stuff. I hope it wasn’t the producers choice to fire Ed and recast him. This is the worst recasting yet. Daario wasn’t a big role yet but he was definitely memorable and unique looking and people are going to be very confused.

For me Ed’s performance was decent. Not great.. but not horrible either. If the new actor had been cast originally he’d definitely be more like my mind’s eye Daario. However, Skrein (spc?) had this way of smiling, like a cocky half smile grin that I hope the new actor can accommodate into his acting style. That way the on screen transition might not seem so obvious. Plus, if the new actor can work in some more of that flamboyant swagger, we may have a better product in the long run.

Blah! Recasting the Mountain or Tommen is one thing; you hardly see or hear from them. But to recast Daario??? No, he’s not ever-present like the main cast, but the original actor played some big scenes already in S3 and to recast is kind of dumb. I hope HBO knows what they’re doing…

Most of my non-reader friends thought Daario was actually Jaqen for some reason and even though I’ve told them several times he wasn’t, they wouldn’t believe me.
Now he’s getting a new face and I’ll never be able to get the idea out of their heads.

Very disappointed in this news, Skein did an excellent job and I liked his performance, as for the future of GoT, per this article concerning GoT’s longevity, HBO President Lombardo is quoted as saying “the show can go on as long as their are stories to tell”. Could this mean more drastic alterations to the main story? Could this hint at spin-offs? I can see the later coming true if the GoT juggernaut continues its rise. Looking forward to Robert’s rebellion, Tower of Joy, Dunk and Egg and so on indefinitely.
I don’t think it strictly concerns GRRM’s 2 future books, but more along the lines of “can the writers come up with more ideas for stories within the GoT world”.

Dangit. I wanted him in the (Yara) Greyjoy storyline somewhere, to make that one atleast slightly interesting.

Dangit 2. The why of this will be another source of silly speculation, brought up in every single flippin casting thread from now on onwards. If you think that won’t be the case, I’ll refer you to ‘Conan Stevens’. *sigh*

Dangit 3. Recasts suck.

unless

Yay! it’s not a big role nor a long-standing character being recast. Better now then a year from here…

Yay 2: Ed Skrein didn’t really blow me away with his performance, so seeing what this guy does with the role will be interesting.

and

Yay 3: Both Dutchies will be playing characters from Essos. Accents (if he has any left) will match.

Turncloak: If people are saying that Ed Skrein has a “history” then I wonder why he was cast in the first place. A mistake by Nina Gold and the casting department if this is the case.

If casting directors refused to hire people with a “history,” there would be very few working actors, anywhere. The great Tom Hardy is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood and openly admits to “dark years” in his past. Even Lindsay Lohan gets work.

If he does a good enough job, great, I guess, but Daario isn’t such a major character that they couldn’t simply have dropped him and started referring to this new guy as a different character who fulfills the same plot purposes.

Yeah. I have to commend the showrunners for even wanting to do this knowing they have such an obsessive fan base watching everything so closely. It really is true that much of the time they have to choose the better of two bad options.

This is actually pretty bad. The unfortunate Tommen replacement, and awful decision to replace him internally was bad, but to replace a main character… I can only hope there is an extremely good reason for this. It’s all coming a part a bit at the seams.

The Tommen replacement is no big deal. Previously on the show he was just a glorified extra, but now that his character becomes more important it is right that they make sure they have the right actor for the role.

I will admit that the Daario recast is puzzling and a bit worrying. I hope they had a good reason to do so, because it’s bound to be jarring to audiences when they see a new random guy.

This makes perfect sense. Now, if only those on opposite sides of the fence,
with respects to Conan’s placement on GoT, would only read on for insights,
and bury the hatchet. The feuding and bickering has become tiresome. I
hope the actor has moved on in his career.

Chickenduck: The Mountain is necessary for exactly 2 scenes in the entire show.

Exactly. This role, and that of Daario, has been streamlined for their onscreen
depiction of their characters. This presumably meets purpose for knitting up
ongoing essential scenes and other roles. Other than Ned’s tourney in S1, Gregor’s
presence became something of legend from those whom read the books, to enjoy.
I’m rather neutral with the upcomingduel as well. Best to allow whatever
the production has in mind to evolve , for whatever entertainment value that
scene produces. It might be awesome…… or just okay. There are more pivotal
moments coming up in future episodes, as well as S5 that will simply astound.
I’m in no hurry to rush things, yet the anticipation of strong roles keep me jumping.

Who knows what happened with Skrein. I kind of liked him as Daario even though he didn’t match what I imagined of the character. I’m sure Huisman will play him well too. It’s just unfortunate they’ve had to recast several people, and this one seems a worse blow than Tommen or Gregor.

Recasts aren’t cool but I guarantee you 100% folks that decisions like this aren’t made lightly.

This.

The decision to recast anyone is probably accompanied by much handwringing by the TPTB, emotional upheaval in the remaining cast members, and frenzy by the boatloads of crew who are responsible for introducing the new folks into the fold and getting them up to speed. This must be especially true for a show in its 4th year that films in 4 different countries with a huge contingent of supporters.

With so many variables in filming, schedules are extremely tight, and actors who can’t or won’t accommodate the process for whatever reason are a liability.

I liked Ed Skrein’s looks, but I’ll accept someone else who is reported to be an even better actor. Skrein’s one and only facial expression were already beginning to pall.

Monica:
Skrein was OK as Dario.It will be hard to replace the personality, and those dimples!

I still haven’t gotten over the loss of GreatJon.They needed him at the RW.Sometimes losing a character effects the structure of the story!

No , even in a bar conversation, seems no one has asked Clive Mantle what happened.
Seems he may have opted out, but his character may have been cut for mysterious reasons.
Why does info like this stay secret for so long?

Lina:
Who knows what happened with Skrein.I kind of liked him as Daario even though he didn’t match what I imagined of the character.I’m sure Huisman will play him well too.It’s just unfortunate they’ve had to recast several people, and this one seems a worse blow than Tommen or Gregor.

I would say loosing , or is booting?, Conan Stevens was , has been, the greatest loss.

MATTHEW: Off topic. But what the heck happened to Kovarro?I kind of liked him, but in Season 3 he was gone.The older dothraki with the big beard was great as comic relief as well.Does Dany have ANY bloodriders on the TV show now?

Yeah Steven Cole was in 8 episodes season 2 (I thought he was in season 1 also?).
Vanished.
Mr Dothraki beard , have no idea who the extra was, seemed to have a non speaking role, so cheap to have him around. So that’s a mystery.
In several episodes , season 3, there are one to more than one, Dothraki on horseback, who seem to be bloodriders.
In the back ground here and there still Dothraki of her small Khalasar , in season 3.

Yeah, I am thinking the same thing :(
Very worried about all these recasts.
I really liked Skrein for Daario and this change is going to be so odd and likely really confusing for the unsullied. Ah well.

It’s a shame because Huisman is such a good actor (Treme !) that he would deserve a better part than this dumbass Daario (one of the stupidest and bad writen character in the book). At least Daario will become sexy and cool as fuck (that will be an improvment, because a QB in Essos , wtf ?)…